We've just launched a new weekly series on our people: Tāngata Tuesday! Read on to find out more about our kaimahi, what they do at Kia Puāwai and who they are.
Today, we talk to Jolene Pascoe, our lovely Foster Care Practice Lead.
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What is your role with us and how long have you been here?
I am one of the Foster Care Practice Leaders for Te Tai Tokerau and have been in the role for 10 months but have been with Kia Puāwai since 2021.
What does your role entail?
I facilitate our evidence-based approach to caring for tamaiti with our caregivers that come through our Caregiving service either as interested public or shared care. We like to acknowledge the strengths the caregivers bring and celebrate them and their commitment to tamariki and rangatahi. I am part of a small but amazing team - we have Zoe, our other practice lead, and Chrissie, our social worker.
The intervention programme we provide is to help tamariki be their best selves and also to help them express their feelings and emotions safely with the support of our caregivers whom we work alongside as practice leaders. We say we do care best! A big wero to ourselves but a benchmark we always work within in all of our interactions.
What is one professional achievement you're proud of in the last year?
Completing my Papa Tikanga qualification with Te Wānanga O Aotearoa. I've really enjoyed this professional development and what it has added to my practice and life.
What gets you up in the morning?
Our wonderful tamaiti who we wouldn’t be here without. Their successes and joy are our joy too. We celebrate hard with them and acknowledge their individuality through the mahi we do. Also my team. I cannot say enough about how awesome it is to come into work every Monday morning knowing these amazing kaimahi will be there too. The debriefing, the openness, and the safety we provide in the way of best practice is something you don’t get every day in this business so I appreciate and am grateful for our little team in Foster Care. This of course includes our wonderful superstar admin, Wendy!
What hobbies do you enjoy outside mahi?
I am a practising, although currently hibernating, emerging artist. I love running and hiking te maunga in our rohe. I also love to walk my kure who hears a lot about my day, and spending time with my awesome lil' whānau and wider whānau. Equally I love my down time where you can find me trying to binge watch a series on Netflix or baking in my kitchen.😊
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